The traveller rushing north towards Cairns would be forgiven for
thinking that Babinda was hardly worth a visit. It is set off the
Bruce Highway and, to the passer-by, it looks like just another
town centred around a sugar mill. In fact this small town, located
57 km south of Cairns and over 1700 km north of Brisbane, is more
interesting than many of the larger centres in the area.

Babinda's name is probably a corruption of the word 'binda'
which meant 'waterfall' in the dialect of the indigenous people.
One wonders whether the Aborigines were referring to the waterfalls
in the nearby Bellenden Ker National Park, or the annual rainfall
which is a massive 4218 mm.

Things to see:

Babinda Hotel
Babinda's most unusual building is undoubtedly the Babinda Hotel
(once known as the State Hotel) located in the main street. It may
look like just another north Queensland pub but its claim to fame
is that it is the only hotel in Queensland (and probably in
Australia) which was built by a state government. This unusual
landlord bore the brunt of many subsequent jokes.

The government justified the construction of the hotel on the
grounds of encouraging controlled drinking and stamping out sly
grog shops. They also claimed that the hotel would offer reasonably
priced lodgings for the hundreds of itinerant workers who came to
Babinda during the cane-cutting season.

The hotel was opened on 29 May 1917 by the Home Secretary, Mr.
Huxham, who, after delivering an opening address which attacked the
sly grog industry, invited his audience into the pub for a free
drink.

The Boulders
The Boulders, 7 km to the west of town, are a series of large
boulders in the river which have been worn smooth by tropical
rains. They are a dramatic sight, but one which is given much
greater significance by the Aboriginal legend and the modern
tragedies which have surrounded them. Since 1959 over 15 people
(mostly young men) have drowned in this deceptive stretch of water,
held under by powerful currents.

At the beginning of the path to 'The Boulders' is a simple
monument which reads: 'Pray for the soul of Patrick McGann. He
came for a visit and stayed forever'. The easy walking path then
moves through tropical rainforest. There is the constant chatter of
birds, tree roots twisted into fantastic shapes, and the canopy
from the tall trees offering a cool covering, even on the hottest
days.

According to legend, a very beautiful girl from the Yidinji
people named Oolana married an old and respected elder from her
tribe named Waroonoo. Some time after their marriage another tribe
arrived in the area. In this group was a handsome young man named
Dyga. The moment Oolana and Dyga saw each other they fell in love.
Realising the crime they were committing, the young lovers fled
into the valleys, pursued by both tribes. When they were finally
captured, Oolana broke free from her captors and threw herself into
the still waters of the nearby creek, calling for Dyga to follow
her. As she hit the waters, her cries for her lost lover turned to
rushing water and the land shook with sorrow. Huge boulders were
thrown up and the crying Oolana disappeared amongst them. It is
said that her spirit still guards the boulders and that her cries
can be heard, calling for her lost lover, and luring young men into
the dangerous waters.

A free camping ground is currently located at the site.

Josephine Falls
To the south-west of the town, along the Bartle Frere turnoff from
the Bruce Highway, are the Josephine Falls, regarded by many as the
most beautiful falls in North Queensland. Certainly their beauty
was enough to attract the advertising world, which has used the
locality as the backdrop to a number of television commercials.
There is a 700-metre walk from the car park to the falls and the
swimming area.

Eubenangee Swamp National Park
A similar distance to the south-east, taking the turnoff to
Bramston Beach, is the Eubenangee Swamp National Park. A 1.5-km
walk, with some sections of boardwalk, allows visitors to
experience the variety of flora and fauna which can be found in the
tropical wetlands of the coast.